These positions are located at multiple locations within the corporate Orlando VA Healthcare System's Dental Service. The Dental Assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and performs other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship. Must be a Citizen of the United States per VA policy. English Language Proficiency. Dental assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, Experience and Education Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR, Education. Successful completion of a 1-year dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). OR, Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and 2 education are qualifying. Certification. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field. Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. OR, Successful completion of the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry. OR, Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense (DoD). Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate dental assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This will result in removal from the GS-681 series and may result in termination of employment. Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). The American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certification is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the full performance level, and is required for all positions above the full performance level. Grandfathering Provision. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). GRADE REQUIREMENTS Dental Assistant - GS-3 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Dental Assistant - GS-4 Experience or Education. In addition to the basic requirements, 1 year of experience at the next lower level, OR 2 years of education above high school that included completion of a dental assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Basic knowledge of infection control and safe instrument handling. Basic knowledge of dental procedures and [medical emergencies. Ability to perform basic radiographic image capture and processing/retrieval. Basic knowledge of maintenance, care and storage of dental equipment. Basic knowledge of patient privacy requirements. Dental Assistant - GS-5 Experience or Education. In addition to the requirements listed at GS-4 above, applicants must demonstrate at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. OR, Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study that included or was supplemented by completion of a dental assistant program by CODA. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to Experience or Education, the applicant must demonstrate the following KSA's: Knowledge of anatomy and [ability to evaluate diagnostic quality. Broad knowledge of common medical emergencies and vital signs measurement. Basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures. Ability to learn and utilize software programs used within VHA. Basic communication skills to provide patient instructions according to established protocol. Dental Assistant - GS-6 (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. Ability to perform dental assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. Preferred Experience. Certification in basic life support (BLS) methods is highly desirable. Reference. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6. Physical Requirements. The physical demands of the work include moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.), heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, good distant vision in one eye, ability to hear whisper voice. There is moderate walking (3-4 hrs.) and some extended periods of standing (3-4 hrs.).
Dental assistants at this level serve in staff dental assistant positions within corporate Orlando VA, independently performing more complex work in assigned specialties while receiving general administrative supervision. Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery Chairside Assisting Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols Assists in routine general dental procedures Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics Dental Imaging Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories, surgery suites, and/or Operating Rooms Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images Incumbent will complete all documentation in accordance with facility policy and is responsible for proper use, cleaning, and documentation of pertinent reusable medical equipment in accordance with medical center policies. Clerical Functions Assists patients in scheduling appointments Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records Perform additional administrative and clerical duties assigned by the Chief of Dental Services Timekeeping responsibility if assigned by the Chief of Dental Services Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information Follows computer security regulations Patient Safety Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position) Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients Participates in patient identification and time out per JCAHO requirements Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress Monitors patient (BP, pulse EKG, pulse oximeter), and condition during moderate sedation and during recovery period following procedure Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions Dental Laboratory Functions Pours impressions and prepares study models Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow Direct Patient Care Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris Recement and fabricate temporary crowns Coronal polishing of teeth Place rubber dams and matrix bands Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education Purchase card holder Ensures that no purchase is made to a vendor that is excluded from doing business with the federal government. Ensures purchases comply with Green Purchasing, Affirmative Procurement, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, etc. Makes individual purchases not exceeding $3,000 unless specifically authorized to do so by Head of Contracting. Reconciles purchase card charges within the established time limits. The standard for reconciliations is 75 percent of charges have been reconciled within 10 calendar days after the charge (payment) information is delivered locally to IFCAP, 95 percent of the payments are matched within 17 days and 100 percent within 30 days. Maintains required documentation for all purchases for the time frame established by VA and VHA regulations. Resolves disputes of unknown or incorrect charges also within the established time limits. Provides approving official with all pertinent purchase card documents for approval by the same and maintains documentation as required. Inputs order into IFCAP Purchase Card Menu, prior to purchase or within 1 workday of purchase Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Functional Statement #: 70709F, 80336F, 80337F, 80115F